Kyoto Colors - Urban & Early Modern

Oike Street Fountain

Oike Street, the widest thoroughfare in Kyoto, gained its current width only after World War II. Before that, it was as narrow as other streets in Kyoto. During the War, however, houses along the street between Kawabata and Horikawa streets were forced to be moved in order to prevent the spread of fire in case of air raids. In 1997, the Tozai (East-West) subway Line was opened. Running beneath Oike Street, the line enabled easier access to the Yamashina and Daigo areas.